by Webb, Brenda
Taking the hint, Jane, Georgiana, Richard and Charles exchanged amused glances and followed the bishop from the room.
William and Elizabeth did not notice their departure.
~~~*~~~
Though both William’s aunts had their say regarding her wedding gown, the final decision had been left to Elizabeth, and she had settled on a simple empire style. It featured a white satin slip, cut low and square at the bust and covered with an overlay of English net. The net was embroidered with delicate vines and roses, the roses fashioned with white silk ribbons. The puffed sleeves were entirely net and trimmed on the edge with Belgium lace, and a deep flounce of the same lace graced the hem. Above the lace hem were four white satin pipings, fashioned in waves, and interspersed with satin roses in pale pink and white. White spotted silk slippers with identical satin roses peeked from beneath the hem.
Her dark hair was piled upon her head, except for four long ringlets left to hang in the back. A sprig of pale pink roses was placed at the back of her head, just above the ringlets. Lastly, she wore a pearl necklace with pearl and diamond earrings that William had given her as a wedding present. In truth, at first sight of her that morning, William had thought her the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
Lost in examining every nuance of Elizabeth’s face, hair and gown, William was oblivious to the fact that they were alone until a sudden noise in the hall caught his attention, and he glanced in that direction to find that they had been deserted. He was delighted. They had had little time alone since Elizabeth had moved into Darcy House, and he had gone to live with his godfather. In fact, had the wedding not been this very day, he could not say with certainty that he would not have scaled the walls to her bedroom that night. The thought kindled a fire deep inside.
As Elizabeth watched his every move, the look in her eyes changed from curiosity to amusement, and William could not help but smile as well. “What amuses you?”
“If I have correctly discerned that gleam in your eye, it seems you may wish to forego the breakfast, but if we were to do that, your aunt would surely send out a search party to find us.”
He chuckled though his eyes darkened with desire. “Had I a choice, I would steal you away to Darcy House this very moment!”
“What a scandal that would create!” she teased. “Dare we risk another?”
He pulled her tight against his body, moving his hips in such a way that she felt the evidence of his desire. “You know how little importance I place on such things, Elizabeth. Say the word and we shall disappear.”
“The desire to throw caution to the wind is very tempting, Fitzwilliam, but you know we cannot. We owe your family so much. We must stay and greet our guests.”
“My mind concurs, but my heart does not. I do apologise, though, that our wedding has been inundated with so many guests I did not wish to suffer today, of all days. I promised that it would be mainly our family in attendance, not the ton.”
“Aunt Evelyn has apologised to me already, and I am not upset. I know that she is only doing what she feels is best for us and for Georgiana’s future. And though you and I do not care to perform to strangers, we can make the effort for my sister’s sake.”
“Your selflessness is only one reason I love you so much.”
William captured her mouth in a searing kiss, and it was some time before he remembered that there were things he wished to say to her before they faced the ton. He leaned his forehead against hers in a bid to gain control. “I have not yet had an opportunity to tell you how beautiful you are today.”
Her face radiated happiness as she pulled back to look up at him.
“I am happy that you are pleased,” Elizabeth answered. “I have never had the opportunity to commission such a lovely gown.”
“The gown is lovely, but I speak of you. You are beautiful, Elizabeth.”
She dropped her head, but immediately, William framed her face with his hands and brought her gaze back to his. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known. Now, in the future, whenever I say that you are beautiful, I want only to hear you say ‘thank you.’” He grinned. “But you may add ‘my darling husband,’ if the notion strikes you.”
“Thank you, my darling husband.”
“You are most welcome, my beloved wife.”
Raising her hand to study the ring that he had placed there only minutes before, William tenderly fingered the wide gold band inset with emeralds and diamonds in a floral pattern.
“This was my mother’s and my grandmother’s before her, but if you wish for something entirely your own, you have only to say. I confess that I did not have time to consult with you before I chose it. You may have another ring designed or there may be others in the Darcy collection that you prefer to this.”
“I do not wish for another, Fitzwilliam. It is lovely and it means so much more because it was your mother’s and your grandmother’s. I feel a part of the Darcy legacy because it fits my finger perfectly.”
William pulled her into his embrace, his eyes closing as all the emotions of the last few months washed over him. When he was much younger, he had dreamt of being married to someone he adored, but Gisela had cruelly crushed that dream. And by the time he met Elizabeth in Meryton, he had given up hope.
Yet the answer to his prayers was now in his arms—his wife! It was a miracle! He buried his face in her hair, moaning softly, “My wife, my precious wife.”
Threading his fingers through her ringlets, he gripped them and pulled her head back to look into her face. He captured her lips fiercely, and for a brief moment, he wondered how she would be able to appear in public after he was done with her hair. Nonetheless, lost in the feel of her body and her mouth, in only seconds, he no longer cared.
William slid his hands down to cup her bottom and pull her hard against his hips. As Elizabeth strained to melt into him, a small sigh-like whimper escaped, causing him to study her. She looked magnificent with her eyes closed and her lips open, waiting for him to resume their kiss. And for a split second, he almost began anew. Only a knock at the door caused him to pause. Sighing, he took a step back.
“Do not forget where we were, sweetheart.”
Instantly, his waistcoat was straightened, and he cracked open the door. At once Aunt Audrey entered, closing the door behind her.
“Fitzwilliam, you and Elizabeth must appear at the wedding breakfast.” She smiled understandingly. “You need not stay for the entirety, but you do need to greet those assembled. Evelyn has gone to a tremendous amount of trouble putting this together. It is the least you can do.”
William nodded. Then taking a deep breath, he responded. “We appreciate her efforts as well as your own. We shall be there shortly.”
She patted his cheek. “I knew you would.”
With a quick smile directed at Elizabeth, she was gone. Rushing back to his wife, William looked so much like a child that had a piece of candy taken from him that Elizabeth wanted to laugh.
“Fitzwilliam, do not pout!” she teased. “It will not be so horrid, and we do not have to stay long. Aunt Audrey said we may leave early.”
“That is easy for her to say. She will not be the one that every so-called gentleman wants to salute just so he can murmur something bawdy regarding our wedding night.”
Elizabeth looked taken aback. “Do they really say such things?”
“Those who are dissolute take every opportunity to goad those who are not. There have been times that it took all of my will not to react when they teased me at the club.”
“It makes me proud that they recognise that you are different.”
William smiled mischievously. “If it makes you proud, I shall gladly suffer their barbs.”
She pushed at his chest jovially. “But since we shall have the next few days entirely alone at Darcy House, you may quickly tire of my company and wish you had spent more time listening to their taunts.”
William gathered her hands and kissed them, desire written on
his face. “You shall soon learn that it is the other way around, my love. Now, come, let us see if we can repair your hair. It seems I have disturbed some of the pins.”
“I shall fix it. Just help me locate them.”
It took longer than promised for the happy couple to finally appear in the dining room. They received polite applause as they entered and took their places at the table reserved for the family.
As they were seated, Jane looked across the table at her father, smiling as he rolled his eyes. Just moments before, he had joked about the inordinate amount of time that signing the register must take, causing their entire table to chuckle.
Jane had been anxious at first, since they were the only Bennets in attendance, but the Earl and Countess of Matlock had been very welcoming, and she was beginning to relax. Her mother and younger sisters were not in attendance, since they did not have Lizzy’s best interests at heart, and neither were the Gardiners, as they were part and parcel of every scheme her mother had ever devised for marrying off her sister.
Reflecting on her new brother, Jane looked towards the newly wedded couple, who were sharing a private word.
You have found your knight in shining armour, Lizzy, just as I have found mine in Charles!
~~~*~~~
The Earl of Matlock laid a hand on Richard’s arm and nodded towards the hallway. As they slipped away from the table and vacated the room, Richard warned quietly, “We had best hurry. Mother will be unhappy when she notices we are missing.”
“This will not take long, and since you have been away on duty, I have not had the chance to impart the latest news.”
Quickly entering a small parlour, Lord Matlock closed the door soundly before beginning. “I have heard from the magistrate, and he has ordered Catherine to be transported to Bedlam. She will never again harm our family, or anyone else, as long as she lives.” He rubbed his face with his hands wearily. “I did not want to mention this in front of Fitzwilliam, today of all days, so he is unaware. I need for you to arrange a military escort to the facility from the local jail.”
“She is in jail?”
“Yes. It seems that lately she has spewed such venom and hatred against the entire family that your mother has been fearful of having her close at hand, especially as the wedding neared. Although I had her locked in the liveryman’s cottage, I had to remove her a week ago.”
“I would say she is fortunate to be confined in Bedlam after having Mr. Lowell murdered.”
“Yes, I could not imagine her capable of murder, though from all that Edgar found among her papers, I learned much more. She had paid George Wickham to spy on George and Anne since he was a boy! Not to mention that she had the other pages of Anne’s letters, plus years’ worth of correspondence stolen from Pemberley. And there was proof that she funded Gisela’s schemes against Fitzwilliam as well as Wickham’s stay in Ramsgate.”
“How could anyone do that to our family?” When his father started to answer, Richard held up his hand in protest. “I am beginning to see what you meant about Bedlam being appropriate. And what of the money Darcy was cheated of in the joint venture?”
“My solicitor is determining the exact amount, which will be returned to him. By the time you take over Rosings, Mr. Godbee will likely have traced all the wrongdoings.”
“What will happen to Mr. Ferguson? After all, he colluded with my aunt to fool Darcy.”
“That has not been decided. There is no proof that he was involved with Mr. Lowell’s death, though he did compile false financial records. We did make some promises for his cooperation, so I think the barrister is waiting until he talks with your cousin to try the case.”
“Darcy is too kind. I do not think his decision regarding Mrs. Younge was stringent enough.”
“I agree, but knowing that she was the only support of her mother and sister, he was determined to show mercy. She and her relations will be relocated to Dublin. As you know, Fitzwilliam has a small estate there. He intends to set up a portraiture business next to the widows and orphans home that he built. All three women will be required to live there and assist however needed. In addition, Mrs. Younge will continue to paint as well as instruct the children in painting. Any income from the sale of her works will support the entire enterprise.”
“I suppose that will at least aid the less fortunate of Dublin as well as keep her relations from being thrown into poverty. By the by, I have given my commander notice, and my resignation shall be final month after next.”
“Excellent.”
Richard’s expression became mischievous. “Not to change the subject, but my brother and the viscountess looked almost human today. I even saw Frances smile at Mrs. Darcy.”
Lord Matlock laughed in spite of himself. “Yes, well, your mother had a little talk with them, so I imagine they are on their best behaviour. And now that Rosings is to be yours and Audrey has decided that Alicia will inherit Ashcroft Park, perhaps Frances will not be so conceited. After all, she is not so far above you now.”
“Conceited?” Richard guffawed. “I would never have thought you would admit as much.”
“There are quite a number of things I would not admit before the ordeal with Miss Bennet. Like Colonel Neilson, for instance. Has Alicia told you that I have given my permission for a courtship?”
Richard smiled, trying not to look too pleased. “Yes. You will not be sorry. He is a good man.”
“I learned a great deal in the past few weeks. I hope I am a better man for it.”
Suddenly the parlour door opened and Evelyn Fitzwilliam peeked inside, her face a mask of concern. “Edward, there is a time and a place for everything, but today should be for celebrating our family!”
“Yes, dear.”
As she closed the door, he looked sheepishly at his son. “Never argue with your wife when she is upset, Son. It will do you more harm than good.”
“I shall try to remember that, Father.”
With arms around each other’s shoulders, they headed back to the dining room.
~~~*~~~
Darcy House
A little later
The day was as sunny and beautiful as anyone could remember for the middle of July in London. It fact, the morning temperature had been so pleasantly mild that many of the residents of Grosvenor Square had decided it would be a good day for a walk about Hyde Park. Consequently, when the carriage transporting William and Elizabeth stopped in front of Darcy House, a goodly number of these same residents were returning to their homes.
Several of William’s neighbours were on the walk in front of Darcy House, and they all halted at the sight of the Darcy Crest, eager to see who was inside. With the window shades drawn, there was no way of knowing the identity of the inhabitants until they emerged. Even the least important members of the ton had heard of the wedding and were eager for a glimpse of the couple.
“Fitzwilliam, have you ever known such a crowd to stop in front of the house before?” Elizabeth queried, after the footman had opened the door.
“No, but today I am happy for it, as I wish to make a statement.” With those words, he hurried out of the carriage and leaned back in to help her down. “Watch your step, darling.”
Just as soon as both her feet were on the ground, he swept Elizabeth into his arms. It took all her willpower not to cry out, as he had caught her unawares. He swirled her around in a circle before starting up the steps as though she were light as a feather. At the top, Mr. Barnes opened the door. He was smiling ear-to-ear.
Looking back over William’s shoulder, it was evident that the crowd was not going to disperse. Elizabeth became self-conscious, burying her head in his neck. “Fitzwilliam, we still have an audience.”
“Good,” he responded as they reached the portico. “It is as I hoped.” Then turning so that everyone below had a clear view, he captured her lips in a solid kiss. It was not a fleeting demonstration, but continued for some time as the hum of the chatter on the walk below grew even louder.
Once he was satisfied, he ended the kiss to smile lovingly and proclaim, “Welcome home, Mrs. Darcy!”
His declaration was easily discerned by those watching and, with that, he carried her over the threshold. The sound of the door closing behind them reminded Elizabeth to breathe again.
~~~*~~~
Chapter 46
Matlock House
After the Wedding
The garden at Matlock House was renowned for its beauty—from the layout of the flowers, trees and shrubs, to the artistry of the statuary and fountains that accented them. In fact, there were few more attractive landscapes in London located on such limited acreage. However, today the beauty of the gardens paled in caparison to the woman standing before Marshall Landingham. He had meant every word he said to Audrey that morning. She looked so lovely that she could have been mistaken for the bride. Enchanted by her loveliness, he almost did not hear what she was saying.
“… So I told Edward that we would likely marry in August, after Georgiana returns to Pemberley. Of course, I would want a very private affair, held in Derbyshire, so that the children could attend.”
What was that? Marry in August?
“Wait! What did you just say? Please repeat it!”
Smiling, Audrey restated what she had just said. When she was finished, Landingham laughed out loud and cradled her face in his hands. “Next month you will be mine, truly?”
Seeing the eagerness in his eyes, Audrey Ashcroft nodded. “Yes, I see no reason we cannot be married some time after the fifteenth of August, when Georgiana will return to Pemberley to be with Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth. After all, I shall be totally without occupation then. With Elizabeth in the family, Georgiana will not need a companion. Perhaps, if Fitzwilliam does not mind, I shall occasionally take her under my wing and escort her to Brighton or Bath or even London. But, I know that I shall most likely see her at irregular intervals and that will take some getting used to on my part.”
